WORCESTER, Mass. — Sept. 1, 2009 — Rain may have disrupted play at the recent CVS Caremark Charity Golf Classic in Barrington, R.I., but it never disrupted the video signals traveling on advanced fiber optic transport equipment from Telecast Fiber Systems. To broadcast the three-day tournament from the Rhode Island Country Club, WPRI-TV in Providence, R.I., relied on a Telecast Ethernet Viper™, a Telecast CopperHead™ interfaced with a new Sony PMW-EX3 camera, and a Telecast Rattler™.
“WPRI-TV in Providence is a great example of a medium-size station that leverages cost-effective technology to provide broadcast consistency and great programming for their viewers,” said Richard Cerny, president of Telecast Fiber Systems. “We have provided crucial support for their remote broadcasts in the past, no matter what the circumstances and no matter what the weather. Telecast’s performance in the soggy conditions at the CVS Caremark Classic turned out to be a great opportunity for us to showcase what our equipment does best — delivering the best possible signals over long distances in lousy conditions.”
To broadcast two reporters, two guests, and a jib camera for beauty shots, WPRI set up an announce position next to the course, accomplishing the interconnect with a single 500-foot run of TAC-4 cable between it, and the WPRI-TV production trailer. A second cable was also installed for backup. The Telecast-based systems operated seamlessly all three days, much of that time in the rain. Because of the fiber’s remarkable immunity to water, no humbuckers or plastic sheeting was necessary, nor was there any risk of electrical shock.
At the heart of the system was a Telecast Ethernet Viper that moved HD program videos, return video, six program audio channels, two IFB channels, and two Clear-Com channels. One of the three Sony PMW-EX3 camcorders was fed through a Telecast Viper Mussel Shell with the second set camera connected through the two spare Mussel Shell fibers to a special, new, Telecast CopperHead™ that had been equipped to interface with it. The CopperHead provided full camera signal interface, remote control functions, operator intercom, and tally. The third Sony PMW-EX3 jib camcorder was fed back to the production trailer using a Telecast Rattler™ system.
“We rely on Telecast because it supports our ability to provide high-quality images to our viewers, and it does so economically,” said Denise Viesta, assistant chief engineer at WPRI-TV. “Bad weather and long distances can pose challenges when we are broadcasting an outdoor event like a golf tournament. We really appreciate Telecast products because they perform perfectly no matter what the weather is like and no matter how far they have to carry our signal. And because Telecast equipment is so easy to set up, we can get our broadcast up and running fast.”
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About WPRI
WPRI-TV is the CBS-affiliated television station for the state of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. Licensed to Providence, the station broadcasts on channel 12. WPRI's transmitter is located on Homestead Ave. in Rehoboth, Massachusetts nearby those of WNAC-TV, WJAR, and WLNE-DT. The station is the flagship of LIN TV.
About Telecast Fiber Systems, Inc.
Telecast Fiber Systems, Inc. is a leader in portable and fixed fiber optic systems for television broadcast production. The company’s video, audio, and communications systems are used worldwide by TV networks, teleproduction companies, sports venues, and various private, educational, and government and military organizations to extend range, simplify cabling, and reduce labor costs and set-up time. Telecast systems accommodate all television production signals, including NTSC/PAL video, SDI and HD/SDI video, analog and AES/EBU audio, HD and triax camera interfaces, and intercom and data signals. More information can be found at www.telecast-fiber.com.
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